Motorised wheelchair makes all the difference to Ethan
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An Ellon Academy pupil got a big surprise when he turned up to school last week.
A brand new motorised wheelchair was presented to Ethan Allan, who has recently turned 18, after his family and teachers were successful in applying for a specialised wheelchair costing an incredible £27,000 in funding from Variety Scotland.
His mum and additional support for learning teacher had applied so that they could buy Ethan - who has cerebral palsy - a wheelchair with a sit to stand mechanism to encourage his desire for independence, and were told that their application had been successful following a home visit by the charity's appeals and wheelchairs officer, Andrew Horne.
Their success means that Ethan will now be able to have facial height at the same height as his friends, and the wheelchair also means that it will now be easier for him to stretch out and reach things for himself.
With the support of head teacher Pauline Buchan, the wheelchair was unveiled to Ethan at a special gathering in the school library where he was joined by his family, staff, representatives from Variety Scotland and his fellow S6 pupils.
Commenting, Mrs Buchan said: “We’re so pleased for Ethan and proud of all that he has achieved.
"He never lets anything get in his way and I hope this new wheelchair helps him lead a more independent life.”
Variety Scotland is a charity which provides tangible help that makes an immediate difference to children, young people, parents, siblings and teachers.
With 69 percent of parents in the UK reporting that their disabled child doesn’t receive the support they need, Variety is working to change that.
For more information on Variety Scotland, including how to apply for support, you can visit: www.variety.org.uk/who-we-are/our-regions/scotland
